11 flood-hit Ill. counties deemed disaster areas

The Illinois Department of Emergency Management said assessments done for 12 days straight since April 29 found nearly 3,700 damaged homes in 14 counties. Severe storms, flooding and winds hit Illinois in April, causing floods in dozens of counties.

Four state teams, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local officials have taken part in the damage assessment, which is ongoing.

"With 49 Illinois counties across the state impacted by flooding, this process takes time," IEMA Director Jonathon Monken said. "The teams are working as quickly as possible, while still taking time to carefully document the full impact of the flood on people and their communities."

President Barack Obama on Friday approved access to federal aid for recovery efforts to Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will counties. The federal assistance could include grant money and loans to pay for repairs, property losses and temporary housing.